Over-door shoe racks

ABSTRACT

A shoe rack for mounting to an upright surface, or for hanging over a door, includes a pair of plastic, vertical side frame members and a plurality of shoe-retaining bars positioned between the side frame members upon which shoes, boxes and the like may be supported. A number of different embodiments are shown, each of which incorporates different features, and each of which may result in improved structural integrity over the prior art. Further, each embodiment may result in a product that is less expensive to manufacture and may result in a product which retains shoes on the shoe rack in a different, or better, manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/149,794, filed Aug. 19, 1999, entitledOver-Door Shoe Racks.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is generally directed to a hanging shoerack, and is more particularly directed to a number of embodiments forshoe racks that hang from, or are positioned on, the back of the door oron another upright surface.

[0004] Hanging shoe racks are well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,695,073, entitled “Hanging Shoe Rack”, is directed to a hanging shoerack having a pair of plastic side frame members, and a plurality ofsupport bars positioned between the side frame members on which shoesmay be supported. The present invention is directed to such a product,albeit with different features. U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,073 is incorporatedby reference, in its entirety, herein.

[0005] In particular, the shoe rack set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,073includes first and second plastic side frame members. Each side framemember has as vertical member having a plurality of support armsextending outwardly and downwardly therefrom. The product has aplurality of shoe retaining bars. The shoe retaining bars are orientedin pairs, with each pair of bars aligned in a plane forming an acuteangle with respect to the vertical surface on which the shoe rack ispositioned. In this regard, one bar of each pair is positioned atoutward ends of respective arms, while the other shoe retaining bar ofthe pair is positioned between the vertical members of the respectiveside frame members.

[0006] As illustrated best in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,073, thevertical members of the plastic side frame members are preferablyspatially removed from the upright surface or door, due to the presenceof leg members at upper and lower portions of the side frame members.Hangers, or brackets, are positioned over the door and receive footmembers extending downwardly from leg members, as clearly illustratedand described in the '073 patent. As illustrated and described, when thehanging shoe rack product is positioned on an upright surface, thevertical members and outwardly and downwardly depending arms serve aslateral barriers to retain the shoes on the shoe rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Each embodiment of the present invention is directed to a shoerack for mounting to an upright surface, or for hanging over a door.Each embodiment of the present invention employs two plastic side framemembers, and a plurality of shoe retaining bars positioned between theside frame members, upon which shoes, boxes, and the like may besupported. However, each embodiment of the present inventionincorporates different features, resulting in improved structuralintegrity over the prior art and/or resulting in a product that is lessexpensive to manufacture and/or resulting in a product which retainsshoes on the shoe rack in a different, or better, manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The objects and features of the invention noted above areexplained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which likereference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the shoe rack of thepresent invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating a second embodiment of ahanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating a third embodiment of ahanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a fourth embodiment of ahanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view illustrating a fifth embodiment of ahanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating a sixth embodiment of ahanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating a seventh embodiment ofa hanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating an eighth embodiment ofa hanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating a ninth embodiment of ahanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating a tenth embodiment of ahanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view illustrating an eleventh embodimentof a hanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view illustrating a twelfth embodiment ofa hanging shoe rack of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view illustrating a thirteenth embodimentof a hanging shoe rack of the present invention; and

[0022]FIGS. 14a and 14 b illustrate a fourteenth embodiment of a hangingshoe rack of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] With reference now to the figures, it is again noted that eachembodiment of the present invention employs first and second side framemembers, preferably made of plastic, and a plurality of shoe retainingbars oriented in pairs. Additionally, each embodiment of the presentinvention preferably employs components or means for mounting the shoerack to an upright surface or for hanging the shoe rack over a door.Additionally, each embodiment of the present invention preferably is amodular shoe rack, in that one shoe rack may be connected to anothershoe rack of the invention, in a manner such as that set forth in U.S.Pat. No. 5,695,073. The following described drawings illustrate only oneside frame member, or a portion thereof, since the remainder of theproduct will be readily understood in view of that which is disclosedherein, and that which has been incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] With reference initially to FIG. 1, a hanging shoe rack of thepresent invention has first and second plastic side frame members, withone such side frame member (a right side member) being illustrated anddenoted generally by reference numeral 10. Side frame member 10 ispreferably integrally formed of molded plastic. Side frame member 10 hasa primary, arcuate, or curved member, often times referred to as a mainbody section, denoted generally by the reference numeral 12. Preferably,curved member 12 has an upper end, including a female socket 14, and alower end, including a male member 16. As will be appreciated, one shoerack of this embodiment of the invention can be connected to anothershoe rack of this embodiment of the invention by placing the male member16 of a first side frame member 12 in the female member 14 of a secondside frame member 10, such that one shoe rack depends from the other.Additionally, side frame member 10 preferably has a foot member 18,which is received by a hanger such as the hanger illustrated anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,073, incorporated herein by reference.

[0025] Curved side frame member 12 preferably curves downwardly from anupper portion thereof to a lower most portion, denoted by the referencenumeral 20. As illustrated, the lower most portion 20 of the side framemember is positioned outwardly from a rear portion of the side framemember 10, such that the curved member 12 does not curve all the wayback to the vertical surface. Instead, an intermediary portion 22, whichis preferably angled backwardly and upwardly, is positioned between thelower most portion 20 of side frame member 10 and a horizontal, rearmember 24, from which the male member 16 depends.

[0026] A plurality of curved support arms, denoted by reference numeral26, are positioned on plastic side frame member 10 and, in fact, areintegrally formed therewith. The upper tiers of support arms 26,illustrated by the uppermost two tiers of FIG. 1, have a first portion28 which extends outwardly in a first direction from the curved portion12 and a second portion 30 which extends outwardly in an oppositedirection from the curved side frame portion 12. Each arm 26 terminatesin an enlarged outer end, denoted by reference numerals 32, which havesockets therein (on a reverse side from that shown), for receiving shoeretaining bars in a conventional manner. As illustrated, a shoe 34, whenpositioned on the shoe retaining bars, is retained from lateral movementboth by the curvature of the support arm 26, as well as by the curvedside portion 12. It is noted that, in the lowermost tier of shoeretaining bars, one of the sockets, denoted by reference numeral 36, ispositioned in the member 12, as illustrated. The shoe rack illustratedin FIG. 1 is particularly useful for preventing shoes from falling offof the shoe rack, particularly when the shoe rack is positioned on adoor, such that when the door is swung from an open to closed or closedto open position, the support arms 26 and curved member 12 preventlateral movement of the shoes. Additionally, the curved nature of member12 distributes stress on the shoe rack, resulting from the weight of theshoes positioned on the shoe rack, in an even or substantially evenmanner, thus reducing the stress points that would typically be found atan upper end of the rack.

[0027] With reference now to FIG. 2, an alternate embodiment isillustrated and described. Particularly, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, avertical side frame member 40 is provided, with a plurality of linearsupport arms 42. Each support arm has a portion thereof extendingupwardly and outwardly from a first side of the vertical member 40, andanother portion thereof extending downwardly and outwardly from anopposite side of the vertical member 40. In particular, the shoe rack ispreferably positioned such that the toe 44 of the shoe 46 abuts upagainst the vertical surface upon which the shoe rack is mounted.Alternatively, however, the shoe rack could be constructed such that thevertical surface is positioned proximate the heel portion 48 of theshoe. The vertical member 40, as well as the enlarged outer portions 49of support arm 42, prevent lateral movement of the shoe. As will beunderstood and appreciate, enlarged outer portions 49 have sockets (onan opposite side of that shown) for receiving shoe retaining bars.

[0028] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the shoe rack again has a verticalside frame member 50, and shoe retaining bars oriented in pairs andpositioned in respective sockets 52 in enlarged outer ends 54 ofcorresponding support arms 56, 58. As illustrated, support arm 56preferably angles outwardly and downwardly in a first direction fromvertical member 50, while support arm 58 depends outwardly anddownwardly in a second direction from vertical member 50. Thus, the armsmeet at somewhat of a peak at vertical member 50. As illustrated, thecombination of vertical member 50 and arms 56, 58 create a barrieragainst lateral movement of the shoe 59.

[0029] With reference now to FIG. 4, the hanging shoe rack of thepresent invention includes a vertical side frame member 60 and aplurality of outwardly extending, curved support arms 62. Sockets forreceiving shoe retaining bars are positioned at locations 64 and 66. Asillustrated, the combination of vertical member 60 and the curved arm 62provide a barrier against lateral movement of the shoe 68.

[0030] With reference now to FIG. 5, the hanging shoe rack includes avertical member 70 and a plurality of horizontal, outwardly extendingsupport arm 72. Sockets for receiving shoe retaining bars are positionedat enlarged areas 74 and 76. It should be understood and appreciatedthat the shoe rack could be constructed so that the vertical surface isto the left of the page, or to the right of the page.

[0031] With reference now to FIG. 6, the hanging shoe rack in thisembodiment of the invention has a vertical side frame member 80 and aplurality of downwardly and outwardly extending support arms 82. Themolded construction of this embodiment provides enlarged portions 84,86. Sockets for receiving shoe retaining bars are preferably positionedcentrally on the opposite side of enlarged areas 84, 86. In thisembodiment, the combination of vertical member 80 and the enlarged areas84, 86 provide a barrier against lateral movement of the shoe 88 whenpositioned on the shoe rack.

[0032] In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the shoe rack of the presentinvention includes a vertical member 90, a plurality of outwardly andupwardly angled support arms 92, and a horizontal barrier arm 94,positioned as shown. Shoe retaining bars are positioned in sockets atenlarged locations 96 and 98. The shoe 99 is retained on the barsprimarily by the combination of vertical member 90 and barrier arm 94,and to a lesser degree by the angled support arms 92.

[0033] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the hanging shoe rack of the presentinvention includes a vertical member 100, and a plurality of outwardlyand upwardly angled support arms 102. Sockets for receiving shoeretaining bars are positioned at enlarged areas 104 and 106. Aparticular aspect of this embodiment is the provision of tabs 108positioned at an upper portion of support arm 102. As illustrated, thecombination of vertical member 100 and tabs 108 provide a barrieragainst lateral movement of shoe 109.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment of FIG. 8, FIG. 9 has a similarvertical member 100, an angled support arm 102, with socket areas 104,106. However, instead of the tabs 108 previously described, a loopportion 107 is presented for providing an additional lateral barrier.While the loop portion 107 is preferably formed of molded plastic, itcould also be formed of another suitable material, such as wire. In thecase where the loop 107 is formed of wire, it is potted into the moldingcompound used for forming the support arm 102.

[0035] In the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11, a vertical support member120 is provided.

[0036] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, vertical support member 120 ispositioned outwardly from an upright surface upon which the shoe rack ismounted. In this regard, the shoe rack is preferably mounted such thatthe toe portion 122 of the shoe 124 abuts up against the uprightsurface. In contrast, in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the vertical portion120 preferably abuts up against the upright surface.

[0037] In each embodiment, a support arm 126 is provided. In aparticular aspect of these embodiments, support arm 126 is curved in an“S-curve”. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the socket areas 127, 128 arepositioned as shown, with the socket 128 being in the vertical member120. In contrast, in the embodiment of FIG. 11, each socket area 127,129 is on the support arm 126.

[0038] As illustrated, the precise nature of the “S-curve” arm 126 isdifferent in each embodiment, with different dimensions at differentangles. It will be understood and appreciated that variations of thisS-curve feature may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

[0039] The embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13 are similar to the embodimentof FIG. 7, with the exception that the vertical member 130 is positionedin abutment against the upright surface.

[0040] Further, as illustrated in the alternative embodiment shown inFIG. 13, the barrier arm 132 may be curved or arcuate rather thanhorizontal as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12. As can be seen in both FIGS. 12and 13, only the dimensions and appearance of the product have changed,but each serves the purpose of preventing lateral movement of the shoes.

[0041] The embodiment of FIGS. 14a and 14 b have first and second sideframe members 140, 142, each having a number of support arms 144 angledoutwardly and downwardly therefrom. Each support arm 144 has an angledportion 146 at an outer end thereof. As illustrated, the hanging shoerack of this embodiment has a number of shoe retaining tiers 148. Eachtier 148 has a first bar 150 a second bar 152 and a third bar 154,positioned as shown. In particular, bars 152, 154 form a parallel pairof bars for retaining shoes in a tilted manner as illustrated in FIG.14b, such that the shoes are angled upwardly toward the surface uponwhich the shoe rack is mounted or positioned.

[0042] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is onewell adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with the other advantages which are obvious and which areinherent to the structure.

[0043] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

[0044] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the inventionwithout departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood thatall matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is tobe interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe rack for hanging on an upright surface,said shoe rack for retaining shoes, said shoe rack comprising: first andsecond opposed side frame members, each said side frame member having amain body section and a plurality of support arms projecting outwardlytherefrom, wherein said main body section is curved; and a plurality ofshoe-retaining bars, extending between said side frame members, whereinsaid shoe-retaining bars are oriented in pairs, wherein said curved mainbody section traverses a side of the shoes when the shoes are located onsaid shoe retaining bars to form a barrier against lateral movement ofthe shoes.
 2. The hanging shoe rack as set forth in claim 1, whereineach said support arm is also curved and has first and second outerends, and wherein a portion of each support arm positioned between saidouter ends thereof further provides a barrier against lateral movementof the shoes.
 3. A shoe rack, for hanging on an upright surface, saidshoe rack for retaining shoes, said shoe rack comprising: first andsecond opposed side frame members, each said side frame member having amain body section and a plurality of support arms projecting outwardlytherefrom, wherein said support arms are oriented in pairs such that onearm of said pair extends outwardly and downwardly from said main bodysection in said first direction, and the other support arm of said pairextends outwardly and downwardly from said main body section in a seconddirection; and a plurality of shoe retaining bars, wherein said shoeretaining bars are oriented in pairs to correspond to a pair of supportarms, wherein said pair of shoe retaining bars are positioned on saidcorresponding support arms, and wherein a combination of said main bodysection and said support arms form a barrier against lateral movement ofthe shoes.
 4. A shoe rack, for hanging on an upright surface, said shoerack comprising: first and second opposed side frame members, each saidside frame member having a main body section and a plurality ofoutwardly and upwardly curved support arms projecting outwardlytherefrom; and a plurality of shoe retaining bars, extending betweensaid side frame members, for retaining shoes, wherein said shoeretaining bars are oriented in pairs, to thereby support shoes, andwherein said support arms are curved such that a portion between outerends of each support arm provide a barrier against lateral movement ofthe shoes positioned on said shoe rack.
 5. The shoe rack, as set forthin claim 4, wherein said main body section is positioned in a spatiallyremoved manner from said upright surface, and said main body sectionacts in combination with said curved support arm for forming a lateralbarrier against movement of the shoes.
 6. A shoe rack, for hanging on anupright surface, said shoe rack comprising first and second opposed sideframe members, each said side frame member having a main body sectionand a plurality of support arms extending outwardly therefrom, whereineach said support arm has enlarged portions oriented in pairs, whereineach enlarged portion includes a socket for receiving a respective oneof a pair of shoe retaining bars, and wherein said enlarged portionsprovide a barrier against lateral movement of the shoes.
 7. A shoe rack,for hanging on an upright surface, said shoe rack comprising: first andsecond opposed side frame members, each said side frame member having amain body section and a plurality of support arms projecting outwardlytherefrom, wherein each support arm has at least one tab extendingupwardly therefrom; and a plurality of shoe retaining bars extendingbetween said side frame members, wherein said tabs provide a barrieragainst lateral movement of shoes positioned on said shoe rack.
 8. Ashoe rack, for hanging on an upright surface, said shoe rack comprising:first and second opposed side frame members, each said side frame memberhaving a main body section and a plurality of support arms projectingoutwardly therefrom, wherein each support arm has at least one loopextending upwardly therefrom; and a plurality of shoe retaining barsextending between said side frame members, wherein said loops provide abarrier against lateral movement of shoes positioned on said shoe rack.9. A shoe rack, for hanging on an upright surface, said shoe rackcomprising: first and second opposed side frame members, each said sideframe member having a main body section and a plurality of support armsprojecting outwardly therefrom, wherein each said support arm is atleast substantially in the configuration of an “S”; and a plurality ofshoe retaining bars extending between said side frame members, whereinsaid S-shaped support arms provide a barrier against lateral movement ofthe shoes positioned on said shoe rack.
 10. A shoe rack for hanging onan upright surface, said shoe rack comprising: first and second opposed,side frame members, each said side frame member having a main bodysection and a plurality of support arms projecting outwardly therefrom;and a plurality of shoe-retaining bars, extending between said sideframe members, for retaining shoes, wherein said shoe-retaining bars areoriented in tiers, such that each tier has a first bar, a second bar anda third bar, wherein said first bar is located higher and more closelyto said upright surface than said second and third bars, and wherein atleast said second and third bars are located on said projecting supportarms and form a parallel pair of bars, whereby a shoe resting on a saidtier is angled upwardly toward said upright surface and engages allthree of said bars.
 11. A shoe rack for hanging on an upright surface,said shoe rack for retaining shoes, said shoe rack comprising: first andsecond opposed side frame members, each said side frame member having amain body section and a plurality of support arms projecting outwardlytherefrom, wherein each said support arm has a first section projectingoutwardly in a first direction and a second section projecting outwardlyin a second direction opposite said first direction; and a plurality ofshoe-retaining bars extending between said side frame members, whereinsaid shoe-retaining bars are oriented in pairs, and wherein said mainbody section traverses a side of the shoes when the shoes are located onsaid shoe-retaining bars, to form a barrier against lateral movement ofthe shoes.
 12. The shoe retaining rack as set forth in claim 11, whereinsaid main body section is positioned in a spatially removed manner fromthe upright surface for forming a lateral barrier against movement ofthe shoes.
 13. A shoe rack for hanging on an upright surface, said shoerack for retaining shoes, said shoe rack comprising: first and secondopposed side frame members, each said side frame member having a mainbody section and a plurality of support arms projecting; outwardlytherefrom, each said support arm having an distal end; a plurality ofshoe-retaining bars extending between said side frame members, whereinsaid shoe-retaining bars are oriented in pairs; and a horizontal barrierarm projecting outwardly from each said side frame member and having adistal end, wherein said horizontal barrier arm is angled such that saiddistal end of said barrier arm is coupled with said distal end of saidsupport arm, and wherein said horizontal barrier arm acts as a lateralbarrier against movement of the shoes when the shoes are located on saidshoe-retaining bars.
 14. The hanging shoe rack as set forth in claim 13,wherein said main body section is positioned in a spatially removedmanner from the upright surface, and said main body section acts incombination with said horizontal barrier arm for forming a lateralbarrier against movement of the shoes.
 15. The hanging shoe rack as setforth in claim 13, wherein said barrier arm is curved.